Disaster preparedness starts with facing reality

Americans need to acknowledge the increasing risk of climate disasters and take proactive measures to prepare for them.

Umair Irfan reports for Vox.

In short:

• Extreme weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, posing significant risks to communities across the United States.
• While infrastructure and forecasting have improved, many people still underestimate their vulnerability and fail to prepare adequately, risking their safety during disasters.
• Establishing a "culture of preparedness" that involves education and coordinated disaster response plans can help reduce the impact of these climate-related events.

Key quote:

“If we leave people behind, it’s a failure.”

— Abdul-Akeem Sadiq, professor of public policy at the University of Central Florida.

Why this matters:

With climate change intensifying natural disasters, the number of affected individuals will likely increase. Effective preparedness and response strategies can save lives, prevent property damage and enhance community resilience.